BLOOD FEUD

I first read this book over 20 years ago, and since then have gone back to it two or three times. Though written as a children's book, it does a great job grappling with some universal and adult issues, namely duty, friendship, loyalty, and mercy -- it seems to plot the progress of a 10th century everyman from barbarism to civilization, and it makes the journey fun and interesting as well. My one gripe would be that Jestyn's transformation from Thormond's thrall to best friend is too quick and total to be believable, but no matter... i loved this very overlooked book, and have always been amazed that no one ever made it into a movie.

This favorite author has brought yet another place in history to life in this fictional tale of the conflict between religion and changing cultures in the early middle ages. Essentially a tragedy, it also provokes curiousity about the Byzantine empire, the spread of Christianity to the Northmen and the odd political path it followed. If the G.A. Henty books are too long or begin to seem to follow the same pattern, try Sutcliff.

This book in not as good as some others by Rosemary Sutcliff, but I enjoyed it.

Jestyn was a cow herder with no future until he was bought as a slave by Thormod, a Dane. When they fought together against an enemy, Thormod and Jestyn realized that they would stay by each other side forever. But on arriving at Thormod's homestead, it is found out that Thormod's father has been killed by two childhood friends of Thormod. They had sworn the "Blood Feud" (a fight to the death between two opponents) when their father was killed accidentally. Jestyn decides to join Thormod in this blood feud, which last months even years as their plans are interrupted by their country's war, a long sea voyage and an oath that they would postpone the blood feud. This adventure will take the reader over roads less traveled as they follow Jestyn through Russia and beyond as he seeks to find his true destiny.